Samford Pitcher Signed from White Sox Tryout
July 19, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
BIRMINGHAM, AL âThis is stuff dreams are made of. White Sox scout Warren Hughes had seen Ehren Wassermann throw a couple of times while playing for Samford University but at the time nothing about Wassermann stood out enough for him to take special notice. As a senior, he posted a 5-8 record with a 6.25 ERA and four saves but it certainly wasn't the most impressive of seasons. Fast forward to June 17 when the recent Samford graduate laced up his cleats and took the mound at the White Sox regional open tryout at the Hoover Met. Despite the long odds, Wassermann's tryout was impressive enough, this time around, for Hughes to take notice.
Amongst a crowd of over a hundred hopeful players, Wassermann toed the slab in the Barons bullpen with a radar gun and the eyes of Hughes focusing in on his right arm. The 22-year-old Wassermann reared back and fired successive fastballs that consistently hit 90 to 91 mph. Hughes was intrigued. "He threw his fastball with good velocity but more importantly his control of the pitch was consistent", said Hughes.
Hughes then called for breaking balls to see if his command would stay steady. Wassermann threw several curveballs and changeups and consistently threw them for strikes. "He demonstrated that he had good command of his pitches", recalled Hughes, "His fastball, curveball and changeup were all consistent."
After the tryout was over and Hughes compiled all his notes, he had to wait for an opening before signing a player from any tryout. When Bob Fontaine, the White Sox Director of Player Development, called Hughes and said there was a spot open for a pitcher at Advanced Rookie Bristol, Hughes thought of Wassermann. Shortly after that Wassermann signed with the White Sox and headed off to Bristol.
Chances like this are why the White Sox hold regional tryouts. "You never know what you're going to see from these guys," Hughes explained, "Even if you've seen them play before they can surprise you and display talents that can translate into professional baseball." For Ehren Wasserman this opportunity has given him a chance to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball.
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Southern League Stories from July 19, 2003
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- Samford Pitcher Signed from White Sox Tryout - Birmingham Barons
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